Stoke V Tottenham at Britannia Stadium : LIVE

12 May 2013 01:25

Tony
Pulis believes the celebration of Stoke's 150th anniversary will be a
wonderful occasion for the fans but does not want his players to be
sidetracked.

The Potters will mark the occasion with a series of
events before Sunday's clash against Tottenham at the Britannia Stadium,
including a variety of on-field entertainment and a parade of more than
80 former players.

The likes of Sir Geoff Hurst and Gordon Banks
are confirmed to appear in that group, and, while Pulis acknowledges
how special it will be for supporters, he wants his side to focus on
Spurs and nothing else.

"We're hoping we can put in a good
performance. It's a big game for us as we celebrate the 150th
anniversary of the football club," he said.

"The club has a lot
of stuff going on around the game but what we have to do is concentrate
on giving Tottenham a run for their money.

"The celebrations will be good for the crowd but we won't see any of it - we'll be preparing in the dressing room.

"The big thing for us is to concentrate on the game and let everyone else enjoy the occasion.

"The
important thing for me is the 90 minutes. When the whistle goes the
supporters will want the players to be right on it and taking the game
to Tottenham."

Pulis has a series of decisions to make ahead of the visit of Spurs.

Midfielder
Glenn Whelan (groin), Andy Wilkinson (back) and Marc Wilson (hamstring)
are all close to contention, but may not be risked from the start as
they look for full fitness.

Whelan and Wilkinson were ruled out
of the visit to Sunderland on Monday but are likely to be available,
while Wilson was replaced at half-time as a precaution.

Meanwhile,
Andre Villas-Boas has called on Gareth Bale to end speculation about
his future by signing a new contract with Tottenham.

Bale
collected his Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award
after a remarkable season which has seen him score 30 times for club
and country.

The award came less than two weeks after the
Professional Footballers Association rewarded him for his efforts by
naming him Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

The
more accolades the Welshman receives, the more rumours persist about a
potential departure to Real Madrid, who have been monitoring the
forward's progress this season.

Bale is contracted until 2016,
but the speculation will surely continue well in to the summer unless he
pens a new deal with the club.

"It would be good for him (to
sign a new contract)," the Tottenham manager said. "I think he deserves
it for the season he's had.

"Obviously we could put to bed every single speculation that's coming out.

"It would be excellent and I think a reward for what he has achieved this season."

Midfielder Mousa Dembele is fit for Tottenham after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Aaron Lennon (hamstring) came off against Chelsea in midweek but is fit to play, according to Villas-Boas.